using an electic heater - advise please!

[Choppski]

Hi,

i'm thinking of using and electric heater in the bus to warm it up quickly for and hour or two - but certainly not overnight!

I've found this one that looks good http://www.outdoorworld.co.uk/royal-240 ... fan-heater" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My questions/ queries are:

I'd only use this on hook up - and my electrics appear in good order - do you think the power usage is ok for use inside the bus? Is it worth putting the circuitry under such a load?

Are you using one, if so can you post a link and any recommendations for buying one?

Thanks in advance guys!

[LittleMissSunshine]

I got a camper heater for £9 from go outdoors - 2 bar, heats van up a treat with hook up. Also have propex for off the grid moments!

[billybigspud]

Alot of people use electric oil heaters. Don't like the thought of having exposed elements in a van.

[Cruz]

I have a cheap 2kw fan heater from argos for the rare occasions we have had hookup. We have a propex now though

[Choppski]

i'm getting a petrol eberspacher installed this week, but as a gent said above, when on hook up might as well use what you pay for!!!

[horns]

We use a similar small fan heater when winter camping on hook-up. It shouldn't be a problem for the van's wiring if it's in good order - but you may well find that the full-power setting will trip the circuit breaker on some campsite hookups. It's not much of a problem, though, as we find the half-power setting is ample in such a small space.

[elsid]

If you are getting a fan heater make sure it has an adjustable thermostat. I got mine from Argos for £11 it is brilliant. When on hook up and walking down the pub/bar I just switch it on and set the stat. I come back to a realy warm and cosy van. Magic! I have not had any problems tripping out the hook up but if you are on one of the old 6amp hook ups you can leave it on the 1kw setting. They are also handy for blowing cold air in the summer.

[California Dreamin]

They are good for near instant heat but are noisey and give a dry heat so you will find it getting stuffy and turning it off all the time.
Believe me an oil filled radiator is much, much better (we have both but only ever use the oil filled one now) they are SILENT! can be left on all the time if needed, SAFE no risk of things blocking the vents and catching fire.
Oil filled radiators have variable thermostatic control and can be just left on over night to take the chill off to give a much more pleasant sleep.

This one is a decent brand (Hyundai) and comes with Free Shipping.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hyundai-Filled- ... 93&sr=1-50" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

1500watts is about right...any less and it will struggle to keep up with heating the space, more powerful and the units get large and cumbersome.

Martin

[PetenAli]

We use one that looks similar to the one you have seen but ours comes from Argos and was about half the price. Its a DeLonghi. It has variable fan speed and thermostat. It has worked well and isn't too noisy. We had our electrics checked over by a caravan specialist when we first got the van to be on the safe side.

The only problem we have had was in the Picos last October when it tripped the site's RCD (we were boiling the kettle as well ). When you see Spanish camp site hook ups you can see why...

Got a Propex now however we'll continue to use the fan heater when we are somewhere with hook up as we've already paid for the electric (I'm congenitally mean )

[Cruz]

i'm getting a petrol eberspacher installed this week, but as a gent said above, when on hook up might as well use what you pay for!!!

That's when a cheap argos job comes in.

On the very rare occassions I pay for electric I don't use the propex